Dogs in Restaurants

[IDontGetOutMuch]

Took my mum out to lunch today. It was a nice enough place-£25 per head.
Have expectations changed with regard to dogs in restaurants? There were four other tables in our section and three had a dog with them.
Two of them barked at least three times during the meal. One jumped up at a waitress carrying puddings to another table, paws on her apron. One jumped up at the table wanting to be fed. One was petted by another waitress who then went straight to a table to take orders without washing hands. One was lying in the way so that I had to ask the owner to move it to allow my mother to get through with her Walker.
We had a dog when I was a child. He never went to a restaurant. What about people with allergies?
Is it okay that they do? Do I need to get over myself? I tried to compare to children. I expect my children to cause no disturbance to others at a restaurant and to stay at the table. We expected this even when they were little and actually rarely went to restaurants anyway.

It's perfectly legal and is up to the restaurant whether they allow it or not. Where I live, there isn't a restaurant that doesn't allow them, though some do make them stay outside on the terrace/in the garden.

I often take mine out with me - he likes the pub as they have a big jar of doggy biscuits on the counter and the carvery chef always gives him some roast beef

It’s up to the restaurant - I don’t like eating around dogs so make sure I go to places that don’t allow them!

As my user name suggests I am a dog owner, I only take my dog into dog friendly restaurants and never would dream of nipping into my local non friendly restaurant , if your particular restaurant wasn’t dog friendly then I would seriously speak to the manger about your concerns, if it is dog friendly then I’m really sorry they are allowed to be there and are probably liked more than the humans that dine there 🤣

Manager* 🙄

It would put me off going in, tbh.

My local garden centre allows dogs in generally, and has a section of their restaurant - about 6 tables - partitioned off for those with dogs. I think this is a great idea, although I have never actually seen anyone using it.

I would have left and gave feedback for me leaving. Unless it was properly advertised as dog friendly, and I could have stayed away.

Up to the restaurant. Owners should ensure they are under control at all times! My boy loves a trip out but knows he stays under the table

I have also noticed this. I prefer not to share the space with a dog unless it’s an assistance dog.

We live in walking country so many local restaurants/cafes allow dogs

A lot of pubs and restaurants near me now allow dogs. Not my thing, so I drive a bit further out now for places where they’re not welcome.

It's up the restaurant whether they allow dogs or not. If you don't want dogs there then don't go to dog friendly restaurants. It's like going to a Japanese restaurant and complaining that you don't like Japanese food. The behaviour of these dogs doesn't sound ideal but I'd hazard a guess that you're wildly exaggerating.

Barked at least3 times during a meal? Hardly excessively bad behaviour.

I find that a lot of pubs are OK with well behaved dogs, and it ultimately up to the proprietor.

The key words being well-behaved. A restaurant is a target rich environment for a dog (full of tempting smells). And they shouid not be jumping up.

I think that the dog lying in the way is no worse than a pushchair or a high chair being in the way, and assuming the people responsible for the blockage move it cheerfully and immediately, it's shouldn't ne an issue. I can see why barking is annoying. But the waitress not washing her hands is not the dog's fault.

Assistance dogs are of course allowed by law to be in any establishment

It sounds like you accidentally went to a dog friendly restaurant.

Personally I love it and am always happy to see dogs. My local pub/restaurant always has lots of dogs there and they keep dog treats on the bar for them.

If you're allergic or don't like dogs then I guess check trip advisor first to see if they say dog friendly.

I wouldn't want to be inside a restaurant with dogs in, it would put me off.

Lots of restaurants are dog friendly now. I like it. Obviously you have to apply common sense and only bring a dog that's suited to that environment such as one that doesn't bark excessively or behave aggressively. I don't think in my personal opinion that any of what you described is unacceptable in a place that's dog friendly and three barks is definitely not excessive. If it really bothers you I would look for places they do not allow dogs.

I’d assume the place was dog friendly. Doesn’t bother me but incessant (not occasional) barking might. If I didn’t like dogs i wouldn’t go again but I imagine it’s nice to be able to have a meal out and take your dog if you have one

Like kids really, expect them to be well behaved and polite or else to be taken home.

A lot of pubs and restaurants around here have areas that dogs are allowed and nicer eating areas where they aren't.

I can see how if you are out for a dog walk it might be nice to stop for lunch etc.

With the industry needing to recover, many people holidaying in the UK this year, and a huge number of UK tourists holidaying with their dogs, restaurants particularly in holiday areas are going to make sure they're not losing custom by refusing dogs. Most I take my dog into are ones I've intentionally looked for, are clearly advertised as dog friendly, and are separated inside into dog accessible tables and dog free zones. This hasn't stopped people, well aware of and surrounded by notices on all this with a dog free zone available to them just a few metres away grumping and muttering at me and my dog.

There are far more places to eat that don't take dogs than do. It's not hard to find ones that work for you.

We regularly take our dog with us to eat. He sits under the table and is kept away from anyone he might bother. I always wash my hands before eating and it makes me feel bleugh every time a waiter/waitress goes out of their way to make a fuss of him before going off to serve someone else without washing their hands. It happens a lot.

What harm was done?

I do think that staff need to be either handling dogs or serving food. Not both at the same time.

But other than that, you heard 3 voices, and somebody had to be asked to move so that your mother could get through with her walking aid. That could happen with kids, buggies, an extra adult added to the end of a pre-booked table... It's not really caused you that much of a problem, has it?

I’m with you, OP. I have dogs and would never take them to dinner, but it seems to be an increasing phenomenon. Would be fine if they were well behaved, but the currently crop of trendy crosses seem unable to control themselves from barking around food

My local rather posh park cafe has started doing this and it is awful...I don’t mind dogs secured by their owners who are well behaved but the ones I’ve come across have been boisterous and frightening for my young children. They also sniff around our table whilst we eat whilst the owners completely ignore their behaviour and carry on chatting with their friends. I find it’s the owners that set the standard with this kind of thing and it seems too many just aren’t bothered these days.

Just double checked-website says dogs allowed in bar area and outside. Seems they weren't enforcing this. I've asked the. To update their website.